Revolutionizing Email Communication: Thunderbird Mail Welcomes Firefox Translate!

The latest release of Firefox, version 118, introduced Fullpage Translation, a tool that automatically translates webpages to your native language without relying on external servers. This privacy-focused web translation solution is now a top priority for Thunderbird, Mozilla's email software. Thunderbird users can expect Firefox translations to be available in Q1 2024.

Following the launch of Firefox 118, several Thunderbird users expressed their desire for this feature. The concept is simple: if you regularly receive emails in a language you are not familiar with or fluent in, there is a good chance that these emails contain business, IT, or other sensitive information. Instead of relying on Google Translate or other server-based solutions, you can now translate the email contents locally within Thunderbird, ensuring enhanced privacy and convenience.

According to Mozilla, you can easily translate email text within Firefox by copying it, and you also have the option to open your email service (such as Gmail or Yahoo) in Firefox for local text translation. Additionally, Thunderbird offers a web translate add-on, although this particular add-on doesn't prioritize user privacy as it relies on cloud services like Google Translate. While there are various options available for translating emails at present, local translations within the Thunderbird client will not be possible until 2024.

In case you haven't heard, Thunderbird is currently experiencing a resurgence. This once neglected email client has undergone a makeover with an updated user interface, a fresh logo, and a range of new features. Thunderbird was immensely popular in its prime, and the introduction of privacy-focused tools like local language translation has breathed new life into it. What's more, Thunderbird avoids questionable AI features. If you were previously a Thunderbird user or if you are dissatisfied with alternatives like Outlook or Apple Mail, consider giving Thunderbird a try. Keep in mind that a Thunderbird mobile app (based on K-9 Mail) is still in development.

For more details about Firefox translations in Thunderbird, please refer to the Bugzilla report. The incorporation process of this feature with Thunderbird is still somewhat uncertain, therefore, if you cannot find the desired information in Bugzilla, kindly exercise patience.